Caribbean Gold

CHAPTER FORTY FOUR

Alicia knew it was time to depart as soon as they walked away from the gold, but she stayed two more days. The Llanrumney Pub gave them lodging and help as they called in the authorities and started the long process of ensuring their find was well-guarded, kept off the front pages until required, and fought over by the right entities. That was as far as Crouch and the Gold Team went. Their passion came in finding the treasure.

On the final night they gathered at the bar, the large room warmed by a real fire, the flames crackling and sending a lustrous glow around the room. It was late evening, and the other patrons had started to drift away, but the Gold Team kept going strong, countless bottles of red wine opened before them and flowing almost as well as the laughter.

The discussed Zack Healey.

“Never as young or as naive as I wanted him to be,” Alicia said. “And the poor lad always took it to heart.”

“Can I tell you something?” Caitlyn leaned over. “He humored you as much as you ribbed him. Zack knows you.”

“Bastard.” Alicia laughed.

“Knew you,” Caitlyn corrected herself. “Shit, knew you.”

And there were tears, more laughter and nothing to forgive or forget. Tonight was all about Healey and the discovery he had helped make possible. Tonight was a celebration.

Tomorrow… they would start to mourn.

Alicia started the last bottle of wine and poured the others a glass. She held it high, the red liquid swilling close to the rim.

“To Zack. See you again, my friend.”

Caitlyn wiped her eyes. “Never forget you. Never stop loving you.”

“And to all those taken from us that we miss.” Russo was no longer surprising them with his insight. “Friends. Fathers. I miss my dad every day. Mothers. Brothers. Sisters. Teachers,” he added with a sad laugh. “Think about you every day.”

What we do in life, what we are, how we treat those we love, repeats through the years in our children, our grandchildren and in our friends. Alicia thought the words, but did not say them aloud. They were too profound to be spoken aloud, too dear to her. Too emotional. She wasn’t there yet.

“We’ll remember you every day,” she did say. “So that you never die.”

The celebration for Zack Healey’s life went on far longer than their rejoicing over the treasure. The memories were greater. The feelings stronger. Tonight was all about one man.

Tomorrow… life went on.